Notre Dame Cathedral Welcomes New Bells Ahead of December Reopening

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has marked a significant milestone in its restoration with the installation of three new bells, just a month before its scheduled reopening on December 8, 2024. The bells were delivered and installed last week, signaling the cathedral’s return to its full glory after the devastating fire in 2019.

The new bells include an Olympic bell that was used during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This bell, inscribed with “Paris 2024,” was rung by track and field winners at the Stade de France. According to Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet, the bell played a unique role in celebrating athletes’ victories and now marks a new chapter in the cathedral’s history.

The Olympic bell, along with two smaller bells named Chiara and Carlos, was crafted by the renowned Cornille Havard foundry in Villedieu-les-Poêles, Normandy. These bells embody France’s rich bell-making tradition and are adorned with symbols that combine the image of Notre-Dame’s iconic rosary window with a monstrance, a central religious vessel.

The bells were consecrated by Notre-Dame Rector Olivier Ribadeau Dumas using holy water and a tree branch. Dumas emphasized that these bells will now signify the victory of life over death, love over hate, and light over darkness. The bells will be rung during key moments of the mass, such as when the priest consecrates the bread and wine.

The installation of these new bells complements the eight historic bells from the cathedral’s north tower that were reinstalled in September after restoration. These new additions replace the bells that were previously positioned near Notre-Dame’s 19th-century spire, which collapsed in the 2019 fire).